Beaches with colorful sand...

if you go to the beach absolutely you will find the sand also, right?? what is the color of sand?? does every color of sand in the beach that you visit is the same?? so,, you must to see this... it is really different sand...

1. Green sand beach in Papakolea, Hawaii
Papakolea coast that is rich in minerals olivine (one of the main elements generated by the deposition of volcanic lava in Hawaii) has an indentation that was almost like a cone-cylinder with a surreal dark green sand, spreading like a prairie. this beach can be found in the south of the Big Island, protected by a fairly high hill.

2. purple sand in the Pfeiffer beach, California
at night, when the moonlight bounced off slowly, then the manganese particles of sand color the sand so that looks glowing purple, and the reflection of the water surface looks like an aurora. stretch from the south coast to north, the color of sand will gradually appears more and more concentrated. in the daytime, the color still looks stunning.

3. Pink sand beach in Harbour island, Bahamas
sand in the area of Harbour island is made from natural formula that consist of little pieces of coral, oyster shells, and calcium carbonate from small marine invertebrates, as well as additional secret materials in the form of content Foraminifera, microscopic amoeba that has a red or pink body shell. with patience that only possessed by nature, processes million of years to produce grain of sand beach that looks beautiful, flushed pink.

4. Mirror sand beach in Fort Bragg, California
location that had once become the dump has now been transformed into one of the man-made beach of the most stunning in the world. the process of tidal beaches that have been running for decades has been smooth shards of glass up to become a comfortable jagged crystal grains in the leg. glass pebbles which in league with the grain of sand of Fort Bragg is one of tourist destinations that you must visit among all blinding California city.

by: Lusken P.M.

5 The Most Beautiful Cities which located in the Steep Cliff

1. Ronda (Spain)
Ronda is located in mountain area at an altitude of 750 meters above sea level. it is located in the province of Malaga above the steep cliff which depth around 100 meters named 'El Tajo'. this city is built in 18th century.
2. Bonifacio (Corcisa)
Bonifacio which is located in the southern island of Corcisa is the most populous community on the island. the city is located on the edge of the cliff that altitude of 70 meters above sea level, called 'White Limestone Cliff'. this city is often buffeted by the wind and the waves of the Mediterranean sea. this place is the home of luxury yachts from whole world.
3. Castellfolit de la Roca (Spain)
this city is located 50 meters above the sea level. this city is surrounded by Toronel and Fluvia rivers.
4. Santorini (Greece)
it is located 300 meters above the sea level (high paradise). located in 200 kilo meters south of the main island in Greece, the island formed by the volcanic eruptions. the night view of the city is very spectacular.
5. Manarola (Italy)
it is the most dangerous city in Italy. the city is very scary because situated on the steep cliff. this town has been built since ancient roman times.

by: Luzken P.M.

No Smoking Village

Wow, two thumbs up for BoneBone, South Sulawesi!

Did you know that BoneBone has been a no smoking village in Indonesia? Bonebone is the first village in which none in that village smoke cigar. Of course, it’s not a piece of cake to make the village become a no smoking village. The important man behind the success of this village is the headman of BoneBone, named Idris. At the beginning, Idris tried to stop smoking himself. Because of his big passion to stop smoking, all the people in BoneBone support him. After he can lose his habit to smoke, he gave a warning for the people in BoneBone not to smoking. The people in BoneBone are prohibited not only to smoke, but also to consume unhealthy food.

Idris has succeeded to make his people not to smoke, and he has got so many awards for his hard work.

Amazing Book about A Teacher and 150 Teens

What do you have in mind when someone asking you about how a teacher should be? Well, I will answer and give them a book, "You must read this book (The Freedom Writers Diary), and you'll find the answer.

There are two quotations that I can use to express my impression to the story of this book. First, a quotation from Pearson Longman English Language Teaching Catalogue is “Great teachers inspire, motivate, and change the world.” This quotation means that a teacher should give the students desire, confidence, and enthusiasm to make their students’ world meaningful. Second, is the quotation from the book itself “One person can make a difference that can change the whole world.” This quotation means that each individual action can make a big change in the world if they believe what their fight for is right.


In this posting, I would like to let you know about an inspirational and motivated book, entitled The Freedom Writers Diary: How a Teacher and 150 Teens Used Writing to Change themselves and the World around Them. This book is based on a true story and it’s the 1^st New York Times Bestseller. And It has been made to a movie starring Hilary Swank.

The story of this book began when an idealistic woman, named Erin Gruwell became an English teacher of Wilson High School, in Long Beach California. Her class, room 203, a diverse group of racially charged teenagers from different walks of life – African, Americans, Latinos, Asians, juvenile delinquents, gang members, and underprivileged students from poor neighborhood. The only thing they share was their hatred for each other and the understanding that they were simply being warehoused and written off in the educational system. In the first few weeks of class, the students made it clear that they were not interested in what Erin had to say, and made bets about how long she would last in their classroom.

Then, a pivotal moment changed their lives forever. An ugly racial cartoon that Erin intercepts during the class, become the most unwittingly dynamic teaching aids. Erin compared it to the Nazi caricature of Jews during the Holocaust. Erin realized that her students were all too familiar with violence, and she was inspired to take advantage of the powerful energy she had sparked that she began to introduced her students to the literature from another kind of ghetto, such as the diary of Anne Frank, and Zlata's Diary, inviting guest speakers and going on field trips, and with these simple tools she opens her students’ eyes to the experiences of those suffering intolerance throughout the world and the struggles of those outside their own communities. Because the school administration dubbed Erin’s students as "unteachable, at-risk" teenagers, Erin should moonlight as a concierge at the Marriot Hotel and sold lingerie at Nordstrom to afford some books, and field trips.

Knowing that every one of her students had a story to tell, Erin encouraged them to keep a daily journal of their thoughts and experiences. After sharing their stories with one another, the students saw their shared experience for the first time and realized that they were not alone, or not the only person in these difficult situations. From that moment on, they named themselves as The Freedom Writers.

You really should read this book because:

First, this book shows you how a teacher should be which is represented by Erin Gruwell. This book shows that being a teacher must be the real educator, and to be sensitive towards what the students need and want. This book will inspire you that being a teacher is much more than a teacher. A teacher is a parent to those doesn’t have or cannot communicate with their own, a teacher is an older friend who is fun to be around, and a teacher is also should be very loyal, someone who cares and fights for each one of his/her students. A teacher is dedicated for his/her students; a little sacrifice can be so meaningful for students. Like Erin did, she used her after-school time to moonlight two jobs to help her students. This book will inspire you that a classroom, in not just a place to learn, but it’s more than that. A classroom must be a safe place for the students and the whole class is a family. This book will show you how to teach your students with your heart.

Second, this book shows you how a human and life should be. This book shows you that everyone is not alone and always has a hope for a better life. This book will inspire you that world can be a better place if there is no discrimination towards the differences, and no more racial issues. This book shows you that a little thing of each person can make a big change for the whole world. As in this book, 150 teens with their teacher Erin Gruwell used writing as their weapon to fight injustice and intolerance to change their whole life, the whole world, even they can inspire and affect others to do the same thing. Maybe this is what people say “A pen is mightier than a sword”. Remember that violence is not the answers of everything.

In brief, this book is about a fearless and an incredible teacher, Erin Gruwell, as well as hopeful teens. By reading this book you will many valuable things that you can learn. This book will inspire you how to be a real teacher for your students, how to discover the integrity of yourselves, and how to use your heart in teaching. This book will inspire you how to believe in yourselves and treat everyone around you. I have been inspired and motivated by this book, and now it’s time to take your turn!

WRITTEN BY MEGA ZULFITRIANI

ARKIT JASWAL-A GENIUS INDIAN BOY

Will you believe me if I say there is a boy that can do surgery at the age of 7? You must be able hardly believe it!

This boy is Arkit Jaswal. He was born on April 23^rd, 1993 in India. Well, he is a genius boy I think that he started speaking when he was only ten months old. He was reading Shakespeare when he was at 5.

When he was 7 years old an impoverished family heard about his amazing abilities, they asked if he would operate on their daughter who suffered from burning injured. And to be surprised, the operation was success.

He became India's youngest university student studying for a BSc in a Punjab University, Chandigarh, India. He is currently studying for a master degree in applied chemistry. He possesses books such as Gray's Anatomy, and textbooks on surgery, anesthesia, anatomy, physiology, cancer, and others. Akrit claims to have mastered them with his daily habit of studying for an hour.

WRITTEN BY MEGA ZULFITRIANI

waters of the most vulnerable pirates

do you still remember my last posting? yupzz,, that was about Sinar Kudus ship which had been the victim of Somali pirates. luckily, the problem had finished. they had been freed now.
connected to my last posting, now I will post about waters of the most vulnerable pirates in the world.
1. Gulf of Aden
in late 2008, world's attention turn to water near this African Peninsula. Somali pirates hijacked one of the super biggest oil tanker in the world which owned by Saudi Arabia that was carrying two million barrels of crude oil.
the incident was recorded as the piracy of the biggest ship that happened in the world. the ship named Sirius Star was estimated worth $ 150 million and the estimated oil cargo valued at U.S. $ 100 million.
2. Nigeria
pirates hijacked Danish container ship named Claes Maersk when it was leaning against  the pier. the pirates used speedboat to reach the ship. the Nigerian Government has never addressed this report in piracy.
until september 2008, there were 24 attacks in Nigerian water, or more than twice a month. Nigeria ranks second after the Gulf of Aden as a region with the world's most danger water.
3. Indonesia
believe it or not, with its status as the world's largest archipelago nation, Indonesia which consists of 17,000 large and small island would be a very potential location for piracy. the lack of safety in the sea makes the pirates free to act.
in April 2008, Norway's large shipping vessels, Spar Cetus, was hijacked by two dozen pirates from Indonesia. until September 2009, 23 piracy attacks in Indonesian water.
4. Tanzania
a country that locates in East Africa has a beautiful nature and famous as the heaven for the people who like snorkeling. however, this country was also a "natural" beautiful for the pirates. Tanzania is located near the Indian Ocean, most busy water traversed  by two third of the world's oil tankers and another large cargo ships.
in September 2008, the pirates hijacked Liberia's container ship, Safmarine Asia. they managed to dismantle the three containers and carried the belonging of crew. until September 2008, there were 14 piracy attacks in the water area.
5. Gulf of Somali
Somali bay or cove along the 1,880 miles the longest in Africa are often used by the pirates to hijack ships serving the route for delivery of goods through the Red Sea.
50 armed pirates hijacked Faina, a Ukrainian's container ship, which was carrying Soviet-made weaponry, including 72 tanks in September 2008. the process of ransom negotiation turned difficult and then gets help from American warships. Indonesian ship, Sinar Kudus also hijacked in this area. there were 12 piracy attacks in Gulf of Somalia until September 2008.
6.India
in India, seven pirates boarded the vessel open around 12 feet and approached the tanker carrying chemicals. as of September 2008, there were 10 attacks off the coast of India.

so, we need to consider about this, especially for the sailor-men.

by: Luzken P.M.

Somali's Pirates

Do you know this guy?? A figure that is played by Johny Deep in Pirates of Caribbean movie. Well, actually I have not watched this movie yet (poor me..), but I know that this film is about pirates.

Can you imagine what if these pirates are exist in the world right now?? It seems impossible, but they are really exist now.

Somali Pirates

I am just know that I am less in knowledge about situation in my own world, Somali's pirates have become a a threat to the international community since the second phase of the civil war in Somalia in early 21st century.

Based on the report of United Nation Organization, the occurrence of piracy is due to a lot of Somalis who work as fishermen lose their employment is caused by marine pollution of foreign ships. Another reason that lead to the  increasing number of Somali's pirates is that 70 percents local coastal communities are supportive of piracy as a form defense of national territorial water of that country. The rest is a reason that pirates believed if their actions are part of protecting their water as well as efforts to demand justice and compensation for marine resources are being stolen.

These pirates can get money amount 150 million dollars as a ransom from the ships that were hijacked and held hostage. The worst problem now is Sinar Kudus ship from Samudera Indonesia Company was hijacked by Somali's pirates on March 16, 2011.

This ship was departing from Pomalaa, Southeast Sulawesi and contain nickel that worth 1.4 trillion rupiahs. Somali's pirates are holding 20 crews of Sinar Kudus ship, and they demanded a ransom. They demanded a ransom of US$ 3 million dollars or about 26 billion rupiahs.

Until now, this problem has not been solved. The company said that every effort that they do aim to save 20 crews of the ship. I hope the company and Indonesia government can work together to solve this problem and save the 20 crews of the ship.

By: Lusken P.M.

THE DEAD CITIES

The Dead Cities? This might be so strange and spooky in our ears. When we think about a city, we must think that the city has society and a life to live. But, did you know that there are some cities in this world have been dead, empty, and no life there?

Let’s check these out.

1. Kolmanskop (Nambia)

In 1908, people in Kolmanskop went to the desert to take the diamond easily. Because of that, Kolmanskop had been a great, fancy, and beautiful city in only two years. Unfortunately, the diamond trading was stopped after World War I and the sand from the desert started to take what should be theirs. Finally, the city had been destroyed by the sand and become a dead city.

2. Pripyat (Ukraina)

Pripyat has been a dead because of Cherinobyl nuclear power disaster. This disaster had killed about 50.000 lives. The buildings are destroyed and contaminated by the nuclear.

3. San Zhi (Taiwan)

Initially, this city was built as a futuristic rest place for rich people, but because there were so many fatal accidents during the process in building this city, the project was stopped. Worse, because of the constraint of cash and labors, this project was totally stopped and had been a dead city.

4. Craco (Italy)

In 1981, the population in Craco was more than 2000 lives. They were in big troubles of social and poverty. Between 1892 and 1922 around 1300 people moved to Northern America. The problems were getting worse because of farm problems, earthquake, and landslide. A massive number of people immigrated to other places. Between 1959 and 1972, Craco got earthquake and landslide again and that caused Craco becoming a dead city.

5. Oradour-Sur-Glane (France)

How did this city become a dead city?

Well, this city had been attacked by Germany armies. The people were shot and killed. The men were forced into the store house and then shot and killed by the armies and the women and children who were trying to runaway from the church got shot too.

-WRITTEN BY MEGA ZULFITRIANI-

Weird or Extraordinary Houses???

Have you ever heard about "my house is my palace?" I am sure you have...

For me,, house is the best and safest place in the world. I always want to be in house when I feel sad or even happy. even just a simple house, house is comfortable and peaceful.

I have seen many types of houses, but I found some that maybe you have never imagined that they ever existed. I wonder how those people who have those houses can create extraordinary houses like I will show you below.

1. Kettle House

Kettle house in Texas, US. What kind of people who build and live in house like this?? this house was made of steel and was built in 1950 years, based on article that I read. That article also said that this house was a oil storage tank before used as a house. Interesting, right??

2. Stone House

Stone house in Portugal is one of the best examples of natural elements that participated used for build a house. Do you think is there any person who live in weird house such it?? I just cannot imagine...

3. Cubic House

Cubic house in Rotterdam, Netherlands is a collection of houses that together form a geometric cube. Interesting factor here is how the house is maintained to keep from falling. What if one cube falls?? This will make the building break (I do not mean I want it happen guys..)

4. UFO House

UFO house in Taiwan seems so scary but had secured no Alien. This kind of houses also exist in China. This house is a part of government project that Taiwan cannot continue and eventually left become a ghost town.

5. Pickle House

Have you ever seen a drum of pickles?? it seems like this picture, but do not think it is a drum of pickles. Actually, it is a house. Pickle house in Minnesota, US, is one of example of unusual houses that attack people attention.

6. Shoe House

I have read a story about Oki and Nirmala on a children magazine when I was child. In that story, their house is like a shoe, but I never imagined that there will be a real shoe house exist in a real world. This shoe house is located in Pennsylvania, US. The form of the shoe is in all aspects, except the soles of the shoe.

Maybe you will be inspired by the models of these houses and you can make your own weird house.

By: Lusken P.M.

THE ROYAL WEDDING

People in London are waiting for the Royal Wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton. Prince William is the oldest son of His Royal Highness Prince Charles of Wales and Lady Diana. He will inherit the kingdom throne after his father Prince Charles. Well, the charming Prince William will marry Kate Middleton on April, 29^th 2011 at Westminster Abbey. Prince William and Kate first met in St. Andrews University in 2001 and on November, 16^th 2010 they announced their engagement.

They have spread 1900 wedding invitation including many kings, world leaders, family, and friends. According to the news, Prince William and Kate also invite David Beckham and Victoria Adam to their wedding. The dress code for men is kind of formal coat and no specific dress code for the woman, except they need to wear hat at the wedding ceremony. The wedding invitation cards are elegance and classic. They are white and stamped with the golden EIIR symbol.

This is it!! The Wedding Invitation Card

Prince William and Kate will have two cakes at their wedding party. The cakes are made by famous cook, Fiona Cairns. The first cake is a traditional fruit cakes with levels, and another one is chocolate biscuit of William’s favorite.

Now, Kate Middleton is in a training to be a princess that she will marry a Prince of Wales. Let’s hope for their happiness.


-WRITTEN BY MEGA ZULFITRIANI-

CATERPILLARS RAIN IN PROBOLINGGO

if you saw the news lately, you would absolutely know about this phenomenon...

yup, caterpillars rain... what is that?? it is something not familiar on our ears, right. we usually hear snow rain or meteor rain, but now caterpillar rain. caterpillar rain is an epidemic that attacked some villages in Probolinggo in two weeks lately. caterpillars or Plutella Xylostella come to settlement residents and destroy some plants such as Mango trees. not only in Probolinggo, it has also happened in Banyuwangi and some other cities.

caterpillars stick not only on mango trees, but they also stick on the house's wall of society. it is definitely distracting for society, especially effect itching which caterpillars caused when our skin touch their furs.

according to researcher Institute of Agriculture Bogor (IPB), the kind of caterpillars that attack Probolinggo society is lymantria magrinanta, not desira inclusa. physically, the type of lymantria magrinanta is bigger than desira inclusa and the furs on the head protrudes upward as much as two units. furs of this caterpillars for the allergy can cause itching. the researcher also said that the cause of caterpillar rain is extreme weather change.

the government and society work together to annihilate these caterpillars by spraying insecticide, but if excessive spraying may result in animal control or hymenoptera caterpillars will die too, and getting out of control caterpillars population. we hope caterpillars rain will end soon and not happen anymore in other cities.

by: Lusken P.M

Gasoline is rare for a moment....

This phenomenon that we often saw lately…..

Yup….people were trying hard to get the gasoline. They were in line for many hours because the gasoline began to be rare and that’s why it became the primary need. According to the news, the rare of gasoline in Pontianak was caused by the sinking ship in Kapuas River that hadn’t been lifted up, so that it blocked the distribution of gasoline. All of the gas stations in Pontianak were full of people. This phenomenon caused other problem for Pontianak:

First was the traffic jam. The long line of people who waited for the gasoline has made the road crowded.  If we look at the problem carefully, the traffic jam also caused people’s motorcycles and cars running out of gas because they took a long time in the road before they reached their destination. It was awful, wasn’t it?

Second was the high of gasoline price. This situation was used by the street vendors of gasoline to get benefit as much as possible. They cost the gasoline double or even triple of the original cost of gasoline before it was rare.

What if there is no gasoline in this world at all?? We can’t imagine it…

Now, the gas distribution gets well little by little. No more so long line and so many people at the gas station or on the road. (We hope so….)

This can be a warning for us to use the unrenewable natural sources, like gasoline wisely and economically, not to explore it as we want. If we explore the gasoline unwisely, the gasoline will be rare while the humans’ needs get more and more all the time. We hope that one day; there will be an alternative thing to replace the use of gasoline because besides gasoline is one of unrenewable natural resources, it also causes pollution to the environment.

by: Mega Z.

Filmducation

Films are a kind of entertainment that is chosen by many people to relax and to refresh their mind. Watching films are not only for adults but also for teenagers and children. There are many kinds of films, such as drama, horror, comedy, colossal, and many more. Some people may think that watching films wastes their time and drives them to be lazy people. Actually, I think films have several good things in some ways. One of them is for education. Do you know that in some popular universities in the world use some popular movies as subject. Check them out!!

HARRY POTTER: Knowledge and Harry Potter-Frostburg State University

Harry Potter is a fiction novel by J. K. Rowling telling a story about a boy named Harry Potter who goes to a wizard school; Hogwarts. It also tells about Harry’s struggle to fight the wicked wizard, Lord Voldemort who killed his parents with black magic. Harry Potter books and movies have been read and watched by so many people. All ages like to watch or read it.

In this subject, students analyze any magical things in J. K Rowling book and explain it in principle of physic.

THE SIMPSONS: Simpsons and Philosophy-Cal Berkeley University

The Simpsons is serial of USA comedy cartoon created by Matt Groening. This serial tells about the life of Simpson family, Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie. Mostly, this serial contains so many social issues, such as politic, and homosexual.

In this subject, the students analyze the social issues that are shown in every episodes of this film. To pass this subject, students have to write the 22 minutes long scenario for The Simpsons episode for 2 credits.

STAR TREK: Star Trek and Religion-Indiana University

Star Trek is a science fiction movie about humans lives in the future with other creatures from other planet and solar.

In this subject, the students learn about critical study of religion through pop culture.

LORD OF THE RINGS: Elf Language-University of Winconsin

Lord of the Rings is an epic fiction novel by J. R. R. Tolkien which has been made as movies too directed by Peter Jackson. This movie has a story about a hobbit, Frodo who struggled to destroy his uncle’s ring that be sought by Sauron, the dark Lord.

 

In this subject, the students study about elf languages with David Salo, a linguistics consultant who was worked by Peter Jackson during the making of Lord of The Rings.

SO? ARE YOU INTERESTED TO TAKE THIS SUBJECT???

by: Mega Z.

3 lessons of science which are wrong in school textbooks

1. Water is Blue not only because of a refection of the sky but also blue is its real color

 school textbooks teach us that blue in the water is caused by a reflection of the sky and that's what I know until I read article about this. however, blue is the real color of water in the sea. The molecules of water absorb light and they absorb red frequencies more than the frequency of blue, so blue frequency appear on the surface. The effect is small, so the blue color only becomes obvious when observing layers of water or in dense enough. In salt water or mineral springs, the color of dissolved minerals can be seen.

2. Seasons are not the same length

School textbooks teach us that every season has the same length, but it is not right... We had read an article that every season has different length. Because the Earth moves faster in its orbit as it approached the sun, summer in the southern hemisphere / northern winter season in the earth is the shortest time, with summer in the north or south of the longest winter. However, the difference is only felt a few days.
3. You will not get a cold just because low temperature

 
 Many people said that getting cold / flu is caused by the changing of season and low temperature. in the fact, getting flu commonly is caused by a virus and had nothing to do with low temperature / cold.

by: Luzken P.M.